Global Trees - Tree Data Sheets Global Trees This tree is only found near permanent water sources, such as rivers, swamps and pans. One or two trees may be seen together in an area, and they occur in large numbers near the Pafuri region. No other thorn-tree in this area has a trunk and branches that are yellow-green and covered in yellow powder, making it unique in appearance. It has a straight, smooth, single trunk, and a sparse, roundish, spreading canopy. The trunk and branches "peel" in paper-thin layers. The tree is medium to tall, well shaped, and grows to a height of between 10 and 15 m. Because of growing in low-lying swampy places, these trees are associated with malaria, early pioneers believing that the tree was responsible, rather than the malaria mosquito that breed in them. Links with Animals - The characteristic holes in the bark are caused by woodboreing beetles. Monkey and baboon eat the flowers, young shoots and seeds. Elephant eat the pods, leaves and branches. Human uses - The bark is used for treating fevers and eye complaints.

The wood is used in building, being a hard, heavy and a useful general purpose timber; it should be thoroughly seasoned first to avoid it cracking. Gardening - This ornamental tree can be very attractive in indigenous gardens in warmer areas. It need well-watered clay soil and cannot withstand severe frost or drought. It can be grown from seed quite easily, but they are difficult to obtain; when well watered, it is exceptionally fast growing. Leaves - Twice compound, with a single leaflet at the tip, opposite elliptic with a smooth margin. Leaves are smallish and feathery (average 7 feather pairs, 17 pairs of leaflets; leaf 100 m; leaflet 7 x 1 m) Flowers - round, golden balls on slender stalks are found in the axil of the thorns, from September to November (10 mm) Thorns - Straight, white thorns grow on a common base. Some may be under developed or absent. (80 mm) Pods - The flat, bean-like pod is papery and borne in clusters. It is brown when ripe in late summer, January to April.

(100 x 15 mm) The fever tree is an attractive, semi-deciduous to deciduous tree approximately 15 to 25 metres tall and has an open, rounded to spreading or flattish crown which is sparsely foliated. The characteristic, almost luminous, lime green to greenish-yellow bark is smooth, slightly flaking, and coated in a yellow powdery substance described by some as sulphurous. If the powdery surface is rubbed away with the finger it will reveal a green bark beneath. Young twigs have a red-brown bark which peels off leaving the twigs sulphur yellow. The long straight white thorns are arranged in pairs and although they are very significant on young trees they often become barely noticeable on mature specimens. Bright yellow, golden, ball-like flowers which are sweetly scented are borne in clusters on shortened side shoots at the nodes and towards the ends of branches. Flowering occurs from August or September to November. Flowers are followed by the production of yellowish- brown to brown pods which split open to reveal the small hard brown seeds, which may be harvested from January to April.

The genus name Acacia is derived from the Greek word acantha meaning spine, thorn or prickle and the species name xanthophloea is derived from the Greek words xanthos meaning yellow and phloios meaning bark. The fever tree occurs mainly in depressions and shallow pans where underground water is present or surface water collects after summer rains. It is also found in low-lying swampy areas, along the margins of lakes and on river banks. It often forms pure, dense stands of closed woodland in seasonally flooded areas on alluvial soils. This tree can be found from Kenya in the north to KwaZulu Natal in the south. It is a prominent feature in the lowveld region of South Africa . This tree is popular amongst birds for nest building as the thorns add extra protection against predators such as snakes. Young branches and leaves are eaten by elephant and the leaves and pods are eaten by giraffe and vervet monkeys. Monkeys and grey louries also eat the flowers. The gum and green seeds are eaten by baboons. Insects such as bees are attracted by the yellow colour and sweet scent of the flowers and perform a pollination role.

The wood is hard, heavy and a suitable general purpose timber but it should be seasoned before use otherwise it is likely to crack. The main stems and larger branches are used to fence out hippo from fields on the Pongola flood plain and the timber is reputed to be used for boxwood. Medicinally the bark is used for treating fevers and eye complaints. Early pioneers thought that this tree caused a fever since people travelling or living in the areas where it grew contracted a bad fever. They therefore associated the fever with the tree. This however was erroneous as the swampy places where fever trees grow are also ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which carry malaria. Thus through these early settlers the myth was born and the plant acquired its name as the fever tree. The fever tree is an exceptionally attractive tree and is often used to decorate gardens and urban landscapes. Its contrasting bark, feathery foliage, and architectural attributes make it an eye-catcher and thus suitable as a focal point in a landscape. A fast growth rate of approximately 1.5 m per year under ideal conditions make this plant a good candidate for gardeners and landscapers who want quick results.

This plant has root nodules containing nitrogen fixing bacteria as do most members of the Mimosaceae family and these play an important role in the nitrogen enrichment of soils which then has a positive impact on the growth of plants around the fever tree. The dappled shade underneath the canopy is ideal for smaller plants which require protection from the full brunt of the suns rays but still require sufficient light. The fever tree is relatively easy to propagate. Before sowing, the seed should be soaked in hot water overnight. This causes the seeds to swell and usually by the next morning they are ready to be sown. Seed can be sown in seedling trays using a well drained seedling medium and then covered lightly. When the seedlings reach the two-leaf stage (approx. six to eight weeks after sowing) they should be transplanted from seedling trays into nursery bags, taking care not to damage the long taproot. Seedlings and young trees transplant well. Seed and young growing plants are available at selected seed stockists and nurseries respectively. Due to its mature dimensions it is recommended not to plant it close to buildings.

This tree can tolerate moderate frost and can often be seen in cultivation in the cooler areas on the highveld such as certain parts of Johannesburg Pretoria . Acacia xanthophloea belongs to the pod bearing family Fabaceae. There are 40 species , subspecies and varieties of Acacia represented in South Africa . Many species such as the fever tree have leaflets which fold up at night. A special feature of this family is the pulvinus which is a conspicuous thickening at each petiole and petiolule base which allows the leaves to close at night and also during extreme heat. Stipules (or a stipular scar) are always present and are often modified into thorns or spines as is the case with the fever tree. The genus Acacia is mostly confined to Africa where almost all have stipular spines or recurved thorns. It is also found in Australia where most are without thorns. Acacias are conspicuous , particularly in drier areas, becoming dominant in many vegetation types and are important fodder trees with useful wood, gum, and bark. Acacias are also host to many butterfly species which have specialised in feeding on the flowers pods or leaves. References Coates Palgrave, K.

1983 Trees of Southern Africa Paperbark - Acacia sieberiana DC. var. woodii (Burtt Davy) Keay & Brenan Family: Fabaceae Common names: paperbark thorn (Eng.); papierbasdoring (Afr.); Mphoka (North Sotho); umNganduzi (Siswati); Mokha, Morumosetlha (Tswana); Musaunga (Venda); umKhamba (Zulu); Nkowankowa (Tsonga) Pure stands of these beautifully shaped trees with their perfectly flattened crowns are quite stunning. Where else but in Africa would you encounter such a sight? Description A magnificent, widely spreading, flat crown (12 m high, 16 m wide) of deep green, feathery foliage (deciduous) and attractive creamy-tan to yellow-brown corky bark, make this an easy tree to identify. The flaky, papery bark peels off in flattish strips, revealing a yellow underbark. Balls of creamy to pale yellow scented flowers are borne in spring to summer (September to November) and entice insects.

Paired thorns are long, strong, straight and white. Light brown, woody pods are formed from autumn (March) onwards, are cylindrical and thickened (often with velvety hairs). Natural distribution This tree is found in woodland, wooded grassland and along riverbanks (where it can reach 15 m) in South Africa do not have thorns. Name derivation Acacia comes from the Greek akantha (thorn), sieberiana is named for Franz Sieber (1789-1844), a Bohemian botanist, traveller and plant collector. Ecology It is a favourite nesting site for many birds - in valley bushveld areas, Pied and Crested Barbets make their nesting holes in this tree. Wood-hoopoes often scratch around under the loose bark for insects. Grey Hornbills crack the pods open and eat the seeds. The flowers lure beetles, bees, butterflies and thrips, in turn attracting insectivorous birds (e.g. Bar-throated Apalis, White-bellied, Black and Collared Sunbirds). The pods have a musty scent (like old socks!) and are eaten by cattle and game (said to taint a cow's milk).

They contain hydrocyanic acid, so the quantities fed to livestock should be limited (also quantities of wilted leaves). Uses and cultural aspects In Central Africa, a bark/root decoction is used for inflammation of the urinary passages. Leaf, bark and resin are used as an astringent for colds/chest problems, diarrhoea, haemorrhage and eye inflammation. In Tanzania , bark is used to treat gonorrhoea. The edible gum is a good adhesive. Twine from the inner bark is used for threading beads. Growing Acacia sieberiana var. woodii This tree is easily propagated from seed that has been immersed in boiling water and soaked overnight. Protect young plants from frost. They are suited to medium to large gardens. Allow these magnificent trees the space to show off their wonderful shapes - don't crowd and clutter them. However, on a large property, five to six trees planted fairly close together make an impressive group. This tree is half-hardy and very fast-growing with fertile soil and sufficient water, and tolerates temperatures ranging from about -2Eï¿½C to 40Eï¿½C. Plant in the sun. References ï¿½ Coates Palgrave, K. 1988.

Trees of southern Africa, Struik, Cape Town ï¿½ Germishuizen, G. & Fabian, A. 1982. Transvaal Johannesburg . ï¿½ Joffe, P. 2001. Creative gardening with indigenous plants - a South African guide. Briza Publications, Pretoria ï¿½ Palmer, E. & Pitman, N. 1972. Trees of southern Africa. Balkema, Cape Town ï¿½ Pooley, E. 1993. The complete guide to trees of Natal Monkey-Thorn - Acacia galpinii Burtt Davy Family name: Fabaceae (pod-bearing plant family) Common names: monkey-thorn ( ), Tshikwalo (Tshivenda), apiesdoring (Afr.), Molopa (North Sotho) SA tree number: 166 This is a large tree with luxuriant, light green foliage, making it ideal for a big garden, avenue or park. It is also valued by farmers. Description Acacia galpinii is a deciduous tree, losing its leaves during the southern African winter (April-July).

It is fast-growing and can reach 25-30 m. Creamy to light yellow flowers appear during the growing season (September-October). Reddish to purplish brown pods ripen during February-March. Acacia galpinii is often confused with Acacia polyacantha from which it can be distinguished by the gland on the leaf stalk: small in A. galpinii and large in A. polyacantha. Distribution Monkey-thorn grows naturally in open, wooded grassland, open woodland and often near streams. It is indigenous to Zambia , Acacia galpinii occurs naturally in Limpopo [ Northern Province ] and the North-West. It is seen as an indicator of sweet veld, which retains its nutritional value in winter. Name derivation: The name Acacia is derived from the Greek word 'akis', meaning a point or a spike, referring to the thorns in many Acacia species. The South African species are armed with spines. Most of introduced species from Australia are spineless. The species was named in honour of Ernest Galpin (1854-1941), a plant collector.

Monkeys like taking cover in its wide branches and may also eat the pods and seeds, hence the common name. There are about 1 340 species in this genus of which 954 are indigenous to Australia , 129 to Africa and some species scattered in Asia . This very large, pan-tropical genus occurs mainly in dry country. Ecology and uses Many insects such as bees and wasps visit the flowers. Ripe fruit pods burst open, releasing the seeds. Seeds are also dispersed by animals eating the pods. Acacia galpinii is one of the trees that can survive hot and dry conditions. It makes a stunning tree along roads where there is enough space. It is an ideal tree for a big garden. In the wild the plant is grazed and used for shade during the hot summer by different animals including giraffe, kudu and elephant. Many birds often prefer nesting in this tree as it provides protection. It provides dappled shade on hot summer days, making it an ideal tree for planting on a lawn where some sun can penetrate. Growing Acacia galpinii Monkey-thorn is easy to propagate from seed that is not parasitized.

Like other plants belonging to the Fabaceae, seed of this tree must be soaked in hot water overnight and then sown the next day. Seed must be sown in a seedling tray filled with river sand. To avoid unnecessary moisture loss, the seed can be covered with vermiculite. Seedlings are fairly fast-growing but must be protected from frost probably for the first growing season. Although it is frost-tolerant, severe frost often kills off tender young branches. The tree prefers full sun. Do not plant it too close to buildings as it has extensive roots. Umbrella Thorn - Acacia tortillis The bark has a rough feel and is grey to black in colour. The tree has a combination of one straight thorn with a small hooked thorn alongside. The thorns are thin and grow in pairs. The flowers form in clusters on old wood. The flowers themselves are creamy, white, balls. The pods are a distinctive pale, gold brown colour and are curled and twisted. The leaves are very small giving the umbrella a soft, feathery appearance. Browsing animals eat the leaves together with the thorns, the latter more easily when young and soft. The older, hardened thorns can be a deterrent to over-browsing.

The thorns are sharp and white, with some straight and others hooked. They are arranged singly or in pairs. The tree flowers in December (summer) with dense, packed white florets, but the flowering can be sporadic depending upon rain. It has the classic, umbrella-shaped canopy associated with thorn trees. It reaches heights of between 5-20 m in nature. Many bird species take advantage of this protection and build their nests in the canopy. It is fairly slow growing and reaches a final height of between 3-5 m with a spread of 8-13 m. Flowers and Fruit Acacia tortillis (umbrella thorn) produces a large number of pods that are eaten by wild and domestic animals, and sometimes by man. The pods are tightly coiled spirals, pale brown and fall to the ground unopened. They accumulate in large numbers and are eaten with relish by such animals as Kudu, Impala, Rhino and Elephant. This is the manner in which the seeds of the unopened pod are dispersed for propagation and better germination after passing through an animal's stomach. The pods of some other acacia trees split before falling to the ground, thus dispersing the seeds by scattering.

Uses The timber is used for fenceposts, firewood, furniture, and wagon wheels. The prolific pods made good fodder for desert grazers and the foliage is also palatable, being one of the major dry season fodder trees for the Sahara-Sahelian belt. Bark, used for string in Tanganyika . Gum used as a poor man's gum Arabic, said to be edible. It is the tree most recommended for reclaiming dunes in India Africa . The thorny branches are used to erect temporary cages and pens. Bark said to be a good source of tannin. Africans once strung the pods into necklaces. Senegalese use the roots for spear shafts, Lake Chad natives use the stems for fish spears. African nomads often use the flexible roots for frameworks of their temporary shelters. The pods and leaves are high in nutrition and are browsed by game and livestock. Vervet Monkeys and Baboons eat young green pods; other animals eat those, which fall to the ground. Habitat Acacia tortillis occurs from sand dunes and rocky scarps to alluvial valley bottoms, avoiding seasonally waterlogged sites.

A very drought resistant species, the umbrella thorn grows in areas with annual rainfall as low as 40 mm and as much as 1200 mm, with dry seasons of 1-12 months. The tree favours alkaline soils but will colonize saline and gypseous soils. Where they are found The Umbrella Thorn is one of the most widely distributed Acacia's. This tree can be found in Mozambique . The tree has been described in Egypt and Arabia 200 years ago. It is said that stands of this tree show areas of good soil and good grasses. Baobab Adansonia digitata Family: Malvaceae Common names: baobab, Cream of Tartar tree, monkey-bread tree, lemonade tree (Eng.); kremetartboom(Afr.); isimuku, umShimulu, isiMuhu (Zulu); ximuwu (Tsonga); mowana (Tswana); muvhuyu (Venda) Regarded as the largest succulent plant in the world, the baobab tree is steeped in a wealth of mystique, legend and superstition wherever it occurs in Africa .

It is a tree that can provide, food, water, shelter and relief from sickness. Description Often referred to as 'grotesque' by some authors, the main stem of larger baobab trees may reach enormous proportions of up to 28 m in girth. Although baobab trees seldom exceed a height of 25 m. The massive, usually squat cylindrical trunk gives rise to thick tapering branches resembling a root-system, which is why it has often been referred to as the upside-down tree. There is a tale which tells of how God planted them upside-down. Many traditional Africans believe that the baobab actually grows upside-down. The stem is covered with a bark layer, which may be 50-100 mm thick. The bark is greyish brown and normally smooth but can often be variously folded and seamed from years of growth. The leaves are hand-sized and divided into 5-7 finger-like leaflets. Being deciduous, the leaves are dropped during the winter months and appear again in late spring or early summer. The large, pendulous flowers (up to 200 mm in diameter) are white and sweetly scented.

They emerge in the late afternoon from large round buds on long drooping stalks from October to December. The flowers fall within 24 hours, turning brown and smelling quite unpleasant. Pollination by fruit bats takes place at night. The fruit is a large, egg-shaped capsule (often >120 mm), covered with a yellowish brown hairs. The fruit consists of a hard, woody outer shell with a dry, powdery substance inside that covers the hard, black, kidney-shaped seeds. The off-white, powdery substance is apparently rich in ascorbic acid. It is this white powdery substance which is soaked in water to provide a refreshing drink somewhat reminiscent of lemonade. This drink is also used to treat fevers and other complaints. This tree is slow growing, mainly due to the low rainfall it receives. Distribution The baobab tree is found in areas of South Africa , Mozambique and other tropical African countries where suitable habitat occurs. It is restricted to hot, dry woodland on stoney, well drained soils, in frost-free areas that receive low rainfall. In South Africa it is found only in the warm parts of the Limpopo Province .

It may however be cultivated in areas of higher rainfall provided they are frost free and don't experience cold winters. Derivation of name and historical aspects The name Adansonia was given to this tree to commemorate the French surgeon Michel Adanson (1727-1806); the species name digitata meaning hand-like, is in reference to the shape of the leaves. The baobab used to belong to the family, Bombacaceae, but this is now generally regarded as a subfamily of Malvaceae. Bombacaceae is tropical with about 21 genera and 150 species. It is host to some very interesting species. The balsa tree, Ochroma pyramidale from South America , is well known for its exceptionally light wood of 160kg/m2. The durian, Durio zibenthinus, is a popular and apparently delicious fruit from the east, which although being so tasty, has such a terrible odour that it is banned from hotels.

The silk floss tree (Chorisia speciosa or Ceiba insignis) is a very widely planted ornamental tree in South Africa and is a sight to behold when it is in full bloom with its large, usually pink flowers. The family has a number of different baobab-type trees, also of the genus Adansonia. With one species in Australia and four species native to Madagascar , the most spectacular, A. grandidieri, reaches a staggering 40 m in height, only bearing branches at the very top of the tall, thick trunk. The family is also well known for the kapok tree, Ceiba pentandra, which is native to the equatorial rain forests of South America, Africa and India . The kapok tree has been widely cultivated in the tropics, for the prized kapok fibre produced by the seed pods, which was used to stuff pillows among other uses. A number of significantly large, historical baobab trees can be seen in the Limpopo ï¿½ The Sagole Baobab is recorded as being the biggest tree in South Africa with a stem diameter of 10.47 m, a height of 22 m and a crown spread of 38.2 m.

It grows east of Tshipise. ï¿½ The Glencoe Baobab near Hoedspruit is probably the second largest and bears several trunks. It has a stem diameter of 15.9 m, a height of 17 m and a crown spread of 37.05 m. This tree has dates carved on the stem from 1893 and 1896. ï¿½ The Platland Baobab that grows near Duiwelskloof, today houses a pub. It has a stem diameter of 10.64 m, a height of 19 m, and a crown spread of 30.2 m. ï¿½ The Buffesldrift Baobab which is in the Makopane District, has a distinct trunk with a diameter of 7.71 m, a height of 22 m and a crown spread of 30.2 m. Ecology Bats primarily pollinate the large white flowers with their ruffled petals at night, although many different insects and other creatures such as birds will visit the sweetly scented flowers.

The flowers, being white, are more visible at night and being sweetly scented also help to attract a wide variety of potential pollinators. The seed capsule does not split open, instead it hangs on the tree until it gets blown off by wind or gets collected by monkeys, baboons or people who all enjoy the soft powdery substance that covers the seeds. The seeds are not generally eaten by animals and are discarded, thus effecting dispersal. Uses and cultural aspects Large baobab trees with hollow stems have been used by people for centuries for various purposes including houses, prisons, pubs, storage barns, and even as bus stops! A big tree in the old Transvaal region is recorded as once being used as a dairy. Another tree near Leydsdorp was used as a bar (known as the Murchison Club) and utilized by prospectors and miners during the gold rush of the late 19th century. One such tree in the Caprivi Strip was converted into a toilet, complete with a flushing system. Rainwater often collects in the clefts of the large branches, and travelers and local people often use this valuable source of water.

It has been recorded that in some cases the centre of the tree is purposely hollowed out to serve as a reservoir for water during the rainy season. One such reservoir was recorded as holding 4 546 litres of water. A hole is drilled in the trunk and a plug inserted so that water can be easily retrieved by removing the plug. The roots of the baobab can also be tapped for water. African honey bees (Apis mellifera) often utilize hollows in the baobab to make their hives. One can often see a 'ladder' of pegs hammered into the trunk which is used by seasonal honey harvesters to gain access to the hives. The leaves are said to be rich in vitamin C, sugars, potassium tartrate, and calcium. They are cooked fresh as a vegetable or dried and crushed for later use by local people. The sprout of a young tree can be eaten like asparagus. The root of very young trees is also reputed to be edible. The seeds are also edible and can also be roasted for use as a coffee substitute. Caterpillars, which feed on the leaves, are collected and eaten by African people as an important source of protein.

Wild animals eat the fallen leaves and fresh leaves are said to be good fodder for domestic animals. The fallen flowers are relished by wild animals and cattle alike. When the wood is chewed, it provides vital moisture to relieve thirst, humans as well as certain animals eat it in times of drought. There are many legends and superstitions surrounding the baobab tree. For example, it is believed that an elephant frightened the maternal ancestor of the baobab. In some parts the baobab is worshipped as a symbol of fertility. It is a belief among certain people that spirits inhabit the flowers of the baobab and that any person who picks a flower will be eaten by a lion. It is also believed that water in which the seeds have been soaked will offer protection against attack by crocodile, while sucking or eating the seeds may attract crocodiles. It is also believed that a man who drinks an infusion of the bark will become strong. In some areas a baby boy should be bathed in such a bark infusion, as this will make him strong; however, he should not be bathed for too long or he may become obese. It is also important that this water does not touch his head for this could cause it to swell.

When inhabitants move from one area to another they often take seeds of the baobab with them, which they plant at their new homestead. The bark on the lower part of the trunk often bears scars caused by local people who harvest and pound it to retrieve the strong fibre. The fibrous bark is used to make various useful items such as mats and ropes, fishing nets, fishing lines, sacks as well as clothing. Although the bark is often heavily stripped by people and elephants, these trees do not suffer as a normal tree would from ringbarking. Baobabs have the ability to simply continue growing and produce a new layer of bark. The wood of the baobab is soft, light yellow and spongy, and although it has been recorded as being used for making boxes, this does not seem to be a widely used practice. Many references have made mention of the exceptional vitality of this tree, noting that even after the entire tree is cut down it simply resprouts from the root and continues to grow; the same is noted of trees which have been blown over in storms. Despite this remarkable vitality, when a tree dies it collapses into a heap of soggy, fibrous pulp.

Stories exist of how such quickly decomposing trees spontaneously combust and get completely burnt up. More than 260 years ago baobabs were apparently successfully grown in England and had reached heights of 5-6 m, but were all destroyed in the heavy frosts of 1740. Surprisingly few baobabs have found their way into cultivation, possibly due to their reputation of being exceptionally slow growing. The baobab was declared a protected tree under the Forest Act in South Africa in 1941. Determining the age of baobabs: Much speculation in literature over many years have made certain estimates of the age of certain large trees and their rate of growth. More recent work using carbon-dating techniques as well as the study of core samples showing growth rings, suggest that a tree with a diameter of 10 m may be as old as 2000 years. Growing Adansonia digitata Baobabs are quite easily grown from seed although they are seldom available in nurseries. Seed can be collected from dry fruits by cracking the fruit open and washing away the dry, powdery coating.

The dark brown to black, kidney-shaped seeds should be soaked in a container of hot water and allowed to cool, they may then be sown after soaking for 24 hrs. Seeds are best sown in spring and summer in a well-drained seedling mixture containing one-third sand. Cover the seed with sand to a depth of 4-6 mm, place the trays in a warm semi-shaded position and water regularly until the seeds have all germinated. Germination may take from two to six weeks. Seedlings should be carefully monitored for damping off fungus, which can be treated with a fungicidal drench. Transplant the seedlings once they are 50 mm high into individual containers, preferably in a sandy soil with some well-rotted compost and bone meal. Baobabs grow reasonably quickly when they are young. They will make a handsome addition to a large garden, estate, or large parkland providing the soil is not waterlogged. Baobabs cannot tolerate even mild frost. When they are young, baobabs do not resemble their adult counterparts, the stems are thin and inconspicuous, and their leaves are simple and not divided into the five to seven lobes of the adult trees.

Saplings can be effectively grown in containers or tubs for many years before becoming too large and requiring to be planted into the ground. In this manner one can move them out of the cold into a warm position in a glasshouse or indoors behind a sunny window to prevent frost damage. References ï¿½ Coates Palgrave, K.; P. & M. 1985. Everyone's guide to trees of South Africa. Struik, Cape Town. ï¿½ Esterhuyse, N., Von Breitenbach, J. & Sï¿½ï¿½hnge, H. 2001. Remarkable trees of South Africa. Briza Publications, Pretoria ï¿½ Germishuizen,G. & Meyer, N.L. (eds). 2003. Plants of southern Africa : an annotated checklist. Strelitzia 14. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria . ï¿½ Kubitzki, K & Bayer, C. 2003. The families and genera of vascular plants, vol. 5. Springer, Heidelberg ï¿½ Palmer, E. & Pitman, N. 1972.

Trees of southern Africa ï¿½ Venter, F. & Venter, J. 1985. Making the most of indigenous trees. Briza Publications, Pretoria General background One of the earliest written reference to the Baobab tree was made by the Arabic traveller, Al-Bakari in 1068. In 1592, the Venetian herbalist and physician, Prospero Alpino, reported a fruit in the markets of Cairo as "BU HUBAB". It is believed that the name is derived from the Arabic word Bu Hibab which means fruit with many seeds. Baobab is the common name of a genus(Adansonia) with eight species of trees, 6 species in Madagascar ; 1 in Africa and 1 in Australia . Common names include bottle tree and monkey bread tree. Baobab - derived from African folklore "upside-down-tree". The story is after the creation each of the animals were given a tree to plant and the stupid hyena planted the baobab upside-down. The baobab is the national tree of Madagascar . Height is 5-25m tall and trunk diameter of up to 7m.

The Baobab can store up to 120 000 lt of water inside the swollen trunk to endure harsh drought conditions. All occur in seasonal arid areas and are deciduous, losing leaves during dry season. It is believed that the elephant must digest the seed before it will germinate as the heat and stomach acids help to soften the shell. However seeds can be germinated by artificially softening the shell with hot water or damaging the shells mechanically. Baobab trees are a succulent. Being a succulent the general belief was that it was not fit as bonsai material. This has been proven wrong. The late John Naka, after seeing these trees in the Kruger National Park and after visiting Johan and Berrie Ras' baobab trees, said that the baobab had promising characteristics to become a very popular bonsai tree in South Africa . This has proven to be correct over the last few years. Germinating of seed Seeds need to be removed from fruit and cleaned. Seeds from fruits as old as 20 years have been successfully germinated. The shell of the bean like seed, is very hard and should be mechanically damaged to assist in germinating.

Alternatively seed can also be watered for the first time with boiling water after it has been planted - do not boil the seeds. Leave in full sun after planting. It is very important that soil mixture has good drainage. Do not over water during first few weeks to prevent rotting. Seeds take between 5 - 14 days or even longer to germinate. Soil mixture for seeds: 2 parts coarse river sand and one part compost or sandy soil - never use clay soil. Watering Baobabs Once the leaves start turning yellow at the beginning of autumn - gradually slow down watering. Stop watering when plus minus 50% of leaves turn yellow. Do not water trees during the dormant (winter) period. However, some people do water in winter, mainly in hot areas, but according to experience chances are very good that trees will rot and may die. Slowly start watering again when the trees are sprouting new buds, usually mid September. Do not over water during this period but gradually increase water and fertiliser (preferably organic) as more and more leaves develop. Only once the tree is in full leaf can it receive as much water and fertiliser as other trees. Always let the surface soil dry out a bit before watering again.

Adjust watering during rainy periods. Where to keep Baobab Baobabs like direct sunlight for as long as possible during the active growing period. The more sun the better they grow. Preferably keep under a hail net or not more than 30% shade net. Never keep indoors during growing period. During winter the tree MUST be kept anywhere indoors, on a wall unit or even under the bed or in a cupboard. The tree does not need any sunlight during the cold winter months as it is completely dormant. Protect the trees from cold (below 10 deg C) and frost - It is recommended keeping them indoors, this solves the problem of cold and frost and the temptation of watering them where they can also be displayed. Transplanting Baobabs Baobabs are easy to transplant as long as you stick to the basics. Baobabs can be transplanted from September to December. Baobabs have potato like roots - it is edible (some very sweet others not). Always make sure the cut through the root is done with a sharp tool and the cut is clean - the cut should at a right angle (90 degree) with the root to keep the surface of the scar as small as possible.

Always seal the cut with a mix of wood glue and flowers of sulphur to prevent rotting of the root. Some bonsai growers burn the freshly cut root. Place the cut root after the application of the flower of sulphate mix in direct sunlight to dry out for about an hour. Transplant in a deep bonsai pot and make sure the tree is anchored if a lot of roots were removed. Do not water for 7 to 14 days, keep in full sun, thereafter water sparingly in the beginning until the tree is full of leaves. Baobabs prefer a well drained soil mixture. Soil mixture of 2 parts coarse aggregate, and one part compost. Diseases in Baobab as Bonsai Baobab trees have very few pests. Be careful of rootrot - too much water at the wrong time. Trees with root rot can be rescued if discovered early - cut back until there is no more sign of rot and treat the same as a newly transplanted tree. Regularly feel the base of the tree, it must remain hard because rotting always starts from the roots upwards. They may also be attacked by fungi.

Training Baobabs as Bonsai To obtain the quickest results, the young seedlings should be transplanted in a big container. The bigger the better. The container should stand on the ground to give the roots the opportunity to grow through the enlarged drainage holes into the ground. Alternatively on top of another large pot filled with soil.This will result in very fast developing trees. The roots inside the pot must be watered to keep them alive.When the tree is transplanted the roots in the ground (larger pot) will be sacrificed and only the roots inside the growing pot will be used. The top growth needs to be trimmed back to compensate for the loss in roots. If planted to grow into open ground, in areas that are very cold and frost occurs during the winter months, the roots should be cut off just below the container and the cuts treated with flowers of sulphur. All Baobab trees should be moved somewhere indoors to protect them from the cold. This process should be repeated year after year until the desired development is reached.

Question: The common name of what African tree comes from the mistaken belief of early settlers who thought that malaria was contracted from being around them?
Answer: Fever tree